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Bees in tree

Hi, I have a removal to of bees in the main trunk of a tree. Cutting the tree down isn't an option therefore I am going to try a force them out. I have no beego or bee quick and no access to either at this time, based on my research I have read where essential oils specifically tee tree, almond and orange oils can be used as repellant. My questions are, has anybody used them before, how effective and fast do they work and can anyone suggest an alternative.

My plan is drill until I find the bottom of the hive assuming that it's below the entrance, and use a combination of smoke and oil to hopefully force them out into a mesh cage over the entrance. I used this method with bees in a pipe and it worked like a charm

Re: Bees in tree

Hey ssmikes
what has worked for me in the past is, as it is sold. 4oz almond extract, 4oz tea tree oil, and 8oz rubbing alcohol. Mix them together well and it works. Now if the bees are established in the tree I doubt they would leave brood behind. But if they need to be removed and you can not cut open the tree to get at them, I say give it a shot and see how it works.

"It's better to die upon your feet than to live upon your knees!" Zapata

Re: Bees in tree

Thanks for responding. Yes they are established but I figure that once I can get something irritating enough they will go out of the hive even temporarily and into the cage. So I will give it a shot. Will let you know how it works out

Re: Bees in tree

No the bees aren't really a hazard. The homeowner is uncomfortable now knowing that there are bees in her yard but apart from at nights when the lights are on they aren't a problem. She just wants them gone. 6 -8 weeks might be too long for me and would be a last resort.

Re: Bees in tree

Ok, well best wishes on the removal. I wish I could offer you some help with the smoke/EO/etc repellant but I don't know about actually running a colony off of brood....seems whatever would make them move off of brood would be detrimental to their health.